Avully Castle, Brenthonne, France

Rain the next seven days is forecast (April showers bring May flowers) so I wanted to get in a good bike ride. I'm in France, about 15 miles from Geneva, Switzerland, and having a fun time cycling on hilly backcountry roads. I spot this castle.

The front gate is closed so I opt to check out the backside.

This sign is posted on the rear entrance--which is unlocked. Hmm, looks like it's open for visits but not today.

Avully Castle dates back to the 12th century and was originally built as a fortified home. Over the centuries it has morphed into a castle.

There's a moat around the castle--though the water is an unsightly green.

That iron gate is an entrance. 

The castle sits on 37 acres. Part of castle grounds. Upon returning home I do research and find it's privately owned and is a B&B with the venue being available for weddings, conferences etc...

This metal horse with its colorful flower bonnet stands at the entrance to a horse farm. 
 

Crossing back into Switzerland I pass this chateau up on a crest. What does it overlook? Wine vineyards.

The chateau also overlooks fields of grape seeds---which are harvested and eventually made into grape seed oil and grape seed extracts. 

Evian-les-Bains, France

I live in Lausanne, Switzerland, a city of 130,000 fronting Lake Geneva. Directly across the lake stands the upscale spa town of Evian-les-Bains, France (population 9,000). In France any town ending in "les-Bains" means it's a spa town. 

Lake Geneva is big--it'a about 100 miles to drive completely around. Lausanne and Evian-les-Bains each lie about halfway around the lake. It's a 35 minute ferry ride between the two and this was taken from the ferry on its approach to Evian.

Evian is very steep. I cycle up to "the Source" where I fill my water bottles with water spouting from a spigot on the mosaic tiled wall. Since 1903 it has been spewing refreshing 52 degree water.  

Tourists photograph this spot and locals line up to fill jugs with free water at "the Source"! Why? This is the origin of Evian bottled mineral water.

This is the view one sees turning around after filling water bottles from "the Source". Built in 1905, this building was a "refreshment bar" where people hung out. It's been under renovation for quite a while and is supposedly due to reopen shortly. Notice the beautiful and elaborate woodwork. 

After filling my water bottles I head to my favorite patisserie and grab a few treats. 

Evian has multiple high-end hotels.

This is the backside of the 5- star Hotel Royal.

The Hotel Royal's putting green with a great view across the lake. Every year the Hotel Royal plays host to the Evian Championship, one of the five major championships in women's golf and the only major in Continental Europe. 

This is Hotel La Verniaz, a beautiful boutique hotel farther up past Hotel Royal. 

In the summer (when trees and foliage are in full bloom) it's a great place to eat. I brought Heidy here years ago for a birthday lunch. 

So, who owns Hotel La Verniaz, the Hotel Royal, the nearby Hotel Ermitage, Evian Resort Golf Club, the Casino d'Evian (largest themed casino in Europe) in the city center and Evian bottled water? 

Danone, the big French company best known for Danone yogurt and Evian mineral bottled water is the owner. 

This structure houses a funicular. It' has been taking locals and tourists up and down the steep slopes of Evian since 1907. Unfortunately it only operates during the summer.

Here's a view of the funicular's tracks. 

This spiffy-looking chateau is situated about 10 miles from Evian.  It's private but, I talk to a woman who live's here.  

The chateau is over 900 years old and has now been divided into various apartments. 

Beautiful tulips in bloom at a round-about in Vevey, Switzerland. 

A fountain in Vevey, Switzerland (dates back to 1839). I like to fill my water bottles here as the water is nice and cold.